Car-coupling



NITED STATES vArnim* CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 446,239, dated February 10, 1891.

Application led November 28, 1890. Serial No. 372,921. (No model.)

To all whom #may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. WALKER, of the city of St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Car-Couplings, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention has for its object to provide a novel and simplified construction in that class of car-couplers known as the Janney type or twin jaws; and it consists in novel combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described,and designated in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a longitudinal cross-section taken on the line x of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line y] y of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section taken on the line ct a of Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-section taken on the line b b of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the hook detached, showing theconstruction thereof.

The particular object of my invention is to reduce and simplify the number of parts employed in couplers of this class, and,further, to accomplish the object designed for its use entirely by gravity.

I-Ieretofore couplers of this character have been composed of a draw-bar, rotary hook, and a distinct and separate locking device for said hook, which forms a separate and distinct part of the coupler.

Referring to the drawings,1 represents the draw-bar, the rear portion of which is of the usual construction, which portion is secured in the well-known manner to the carto which it is proposed to be attached. The front or forward portion Vof said draw-bar in its outward appearance resembles that of the .Ianney type, and is designed to couple therewith when it becomes necessary.

2 2 represent two ears, which are also of the usual construction, but are made solid, and which receive the corresponding recess or portion 3, formed on the rotary hook 4.. These ears are not provided with vertical openin gs, as are usual in this class of couplers, for the admission or insertion of a pin to hold the hook in its proper position to the drawhead, but it is prevented from being withdrawn by means of the construction, as will be hereinafter more fully described.

5 represents the curvilinear depressions or grooves formed upon the interior upper and lo'wer surfaces of the draw-head, which depressions receive corresponding projections or flanges 6, formed integrally with the hook 4. The curvilinear projections or iianges 6 are formed upon the tail portion 7 of the hook, which portion receives a strain when draft is applied to the said hook.` At the inner termination of the lower groove or recess is formed a depression 8, which depression receives the lug t), formed on the lower curvilinear flange G of the hook when the same is closed, as shown in Fig. l. The upper curvilinear groove and its adjacent portions are of greater dimensions in order to allow the hook 4: to be raised from its normal position, and thereby elevates the lug 9, freeing the same from the depression S, allowing the hook to be rotated. When the hook is open, the lug 9 will rest within the curvilinear groove 6 of the drawhead and rest therein until it nds the depression S, when the hook will bodily drop, causing the said lug` to fall into the said depression, and thereby lock the said hook.

In order to unlock the hook 4.,'I employ such means as will bodily raise the said hook in order to release the lug 9 from its engaged position in the depression S. This I accomplish by means of a transverse shaft 10, which is journaled in any suitable manner to the body of the car and below the coupler. To

the shaft is rigidly secured an arm ll, having an upwardly-projecting stem l2, which stem passes through an opening 13, formed in the lower ear 2 of the draw-head, the end of which is adapted to bear upon the lower surface of the hook. To the shaft lO is also attacheda handle or lever l1l, by means of which the same may be rotated, causingv the arm 11 to rise, and thereby press upon the hook 4 and elevate the same, releasing it from its locked position.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that the coupler herein described is composed of only two parts, the curvilinear projection and recess taking the place of the ordinary vertical pin generally used to attach IOO the hook to the draw-head, and the lug 9 and.

depression 8 forming the lock for the said hook `when closed. It will lbe further seen that my car-coupler is very simple and compact and is designed to stand the rough usage to Which all car-couplers are necessarily subjected.

I Wish it distinctly understood thatI do not limit myself to any particular device for rais ing or elevating the rotary hook, causing the same to be released, as the same may be accomplished in various ways Without departing from the nature of my invent-ion.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim is l. The herein-described hook, adapted to be movably connected to the draw-head, and a lug formed integrally therewith for entering the depression in the draw-head for locking the same, substantially as described.

2. The herein-described hook, adapted to be movablyconnected to the draw-head, curvilinearprojections formed upon the upper and lower surfaces thereof, and a lug formed upon the lower of said projections for entering a corresponding depression formed in the drawhead, substantially as described.

3. The herein-described car-coupling, having curvilinear grooves formed in the head portion thereof, a hook provided with curvilinear flanges or projections adapted to move within said' curvilinear grooves, and a lug formed upon the surface of the said hook for entering a corresponding depression in the draw-bar, substantially as described.

y 4. In a car-coupling, the combination of the draw-bar, the curvilinear grooves formed in the head portion thereof, the rotating hook provided with curvilinear projections adapted to move in said grooves, and a lug formed integrally with said hook for entering the corresponding depression in the draw-head, substantially as described.

5. In the class of car-couplings herein described, the combination of a draw-bar, a hook adapted to rotate therein and connected Within the head portion thereof, a lug formed integrally with the said hook, a depression formed in the said draw-head for receiving the said lug, and means whereby the said hook is bodily elevated for releasing it from its locked position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

VILLIAM J. VALKER.

lVitnesses: y

C. F. KELLER, E. LoNeAN. 

